The mind is such a battleground. An image from the past, anxiety over the present, or uncertainty about the future can send the soul into great despair. Yet, it is possible to train the mind to return, each time, to the Throne of God. The Word of God, and prayer can transform dark and despondent thoughts into hopeful ones!

Having found great comfort in Spurgeon’s, “Memory – the Handmaid of Hope”, No. 654, I’ve extracted a few excerpts to share with you.  If you have the time, I recommend reading the whole thing.

May the words of Lamentations 3:21 be yours today. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”

“Memory is very often the servant of despondency. Despairing minds call to remembrance every dark foreboding in the past and every gloomy feature in the present. Memory stands like a handmaiden clothed in sackcloth, presenting to her master a cup of mingled gall and wormwood. Like Mercury, she hastens with winged heel to gather fresh thorns with which to fill the uneasy pillow and to bind fresh rods with which to scourge the already bleeding heart. There is, how-ever, no necessity for this. Wisdom will transform Memory into an angel of comfort.”

“My Soul, are you very sad and very low this morning? The Lord is good to them that seek Him! Thousands have come from His door but none have had reason to complain of a cold reception, for in every case He has filled the hungry with good things. Therefore, my Soul, go boldly and knock, for He gives liberally and upbraids not!”

“Now, when we get into doubts, it is a good thing to turn to this old Book and read until at last we can say, “That is it—that promise was made for me.” Perhaps it may be this one—“When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue fails for thirst, I the Lord will hear them. I the God of Jacob will not forsake them.” Or this one— “Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” May I beg you to rummage the old Book through? And you, poor doubting, despairing Christian, will soon stumble on some precious parchment, as it were, which God the Holy Spirit will make to you the title-deed of immortality and life!”

“If these recollections should not suffice, I have one more. You look at me and you open your ears to find what new thing I am going to tell you. No, I am going to tell you nothing new, but yet it is the best thing that was ever said out of Heaven, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” You have heard that a thousand times—and is the best music you have ever heard! If I am not a saint, I am a sinner. And if I may not go to the Throne of Grace as a child, I will go as a sinner!”

“In all states of dilemma or of difficulty, prayer is an available source. The ship of prayer may sail through all temptations, doubts and fears, straight up to the throne of God; and though she may be outward bound with only griefs, and groans, and sighs, she shall return freighted with a wealth of blessings!”